<p>When one picks up an instrument at the age of two, you know they have found their calling. Aleix Tobias is a well-known name in the field of percussion and his experiments with this have resulted in worldwide collaborations, over 100 albums and a deeper understanding of the rhythms and techniques of traditional drumming. <br /><br />The Spanish Percussionist will conduct a workshop in the city on April 22 and will present a concert titled ‘Bangalore to Barcelona’ along with Amrit Nataraj and Frijo Francis at Bartender on April 23. In between a packed schedule, he chats with Rajitha Menon about the world of drums and Indian music.<br /><br />What drew you to the world of percussion?<br /><br />When I was two or three years old, I was attracted to drums though I can’t say why. I come from a non-musical family but I always wanted to play this instrument. As a kid, I would keep listening to an album of Billie Cobham that my mother had though I did not know who he was at that time.<br /><br />What sets apart traditional drumming from what we hear these days?<br /><br />We can see all kinds of sets these days because creativity has broken all barriers. Percussionists are playing like drummers; boundaries between instruments are being merged. We can put in everything we think will sound good in a piece, unlike traditional forms of music where rules are strict. <br /><br />Tell us a bit about your project ‘Coetus’...<br /><br />‘Coetus’ is an Iberian percussion orchestra. In the peninsula, most of the traditional percussion music is played by just one person, usually a woman. The idea of ‘Coetus’ is to put all these instruments together and showcase the percussion sound of the place. <br /><br />Are people responsive to such performances?<br /><br />Yes, very much. Our approach is to present our tradition in a modern vision and people have been appreciating it a lot.<br /><br />What can be done to preserve dying arts?<br /><br />Take the essence of such arts and actualise it. Creating new compositions in olden styles will help rekindle the interest of people in such traditions. <br /><br />Which has been your favourite venue so far?<br /><br />The small ones, where you can feel close to the people.<br /><br />Thoughts about Indian music...<br /><br />Indian music is one of the biggest musical systems in the world. It is a deep structure and I hope it will be reached and learned in the conservatories around the world. <br /><br />Future plans?<br /><br />Practice, record Coetus’s new album, explore solo performances deeply, work on some ideas I have in mind, enjoy, learn and play with musicians around the world. <br /></p>
<p>When one picks up an instrument at the age of two, you know they have found their calling. Aleix Tobias is a well-known name in the field of percussion and his experiments with this have resulted in worldwide collaborations, over 100 albums and a deeper understanding of the rhythms and techniques of traditional drumming. <br /><br />The Spanish Percussionist will conduct a workshop in the city on April 22 and will present a concert titled ‘Bangalore to Barcelona’ along with Amrit Nataraj and Frijo Francis at Bartender on April 23. In between a packed schedule, he chats with Rajitha Menon about the world of drums and Indian music.<br /><br />What drew you to the world of percussion?<br /><br />When I was two or three years old, I was attracted to drums though I can’t say why. I come from a non-musical family but I always wanted to play this instrument. As a kid, I would keep listening to an album of Billie Cobham that my mother had though I did not know who he was at that time.<br /><br />What sets apart traditional drumming from what we hear these days?<br /><br />We can see all kinds of sets these days because creativity has broken all barriers. Percussionists are playing like drummers; boundaries between instruments are being merged. We can put in everything we think will sound good in a piece, unlike traditional forms of music where rules are strict. <br /><br />Tell us a bit about your project ‘Coetus’...<br /><br />‘Coetus’ is an Iberian percussion orchestra. In the peninsula, most of the traditional percussion music is played by just one person, usually a woman. The idea of ‘Coetus’ is to put all these instruments together and showcase the percussion sound of the place. <br /><br />Are people responsive to such performances?<br /><br />Yes, very much. Our approach is to present our tradition in a modern vision and people have been appreciating it a lot.<br /><br />What can be done to preserve dying arts?<br /><br />Take the essence of such arts and actualise it. Creating new compositions in olden styles will help rekindle the interest of people in such traditions. <br /><br />Which has been your favourite venue so far?<br /><br />The small ones, where you can feel close to the people.<br /><br />Thoughts about Indian music...<br /><br />Indian music is one of the biggest musical systems in the world. It is a deep structure and I hope it will be reached and learned in the conservatories around the world. <br /><br />Future plans?<br /><br />Practice, record Coetus’s new album, explore solo performances deeply, work on some ideas I have in mind, enjoy, learn and play with musicians around the world. <br /></p>
